Advertisement

correct (v.)

mid-14c., "to set (someone) right by punishing for a fault or error, to discipline;" late 14c., of texts, "to bring into accordance with a standard or original," from Latin correctus, past participle of corrigere "to put straight, attempt to make (a crooked thing) straight, reduce to order, set right;" in transferred use, "to reform, amend," especially of speech or writing, from assimilated form of com-, here probably an intensive prefix (see com-), + regere "to lead straight, rule" (from PIE root *reg- "move in a straight line," with derivatives meaning "to direct in a straight line," thus "to lead, rule").

Meaning "to remove or counteract the operation of" is from late 14c. Related: Corrected; correcting.

correct (adj.)

"in accordance or agreement with a certain standard, model, or original," 1670s, from French correct "right, proper," from Latin correctus, past participle of corrigere "to put straight; to reform" (see correct (v.)). Related: Correctly; correctness.

Others are reading

Advertisement
Definitions of correct from WordNet
1
correct (v.)
make right or correct;
Synonyms: rectify / right
correct (v.)
make reparations or amends for;
Synonyms: right / compensate / redress
correct (v.)
censure severely;
correct (v.)
adjust for;
engineers will work to correct the effects or air resistance
Synonyms: compensate / counterbalance / make up / even out / even off / even up
correct (v.)
punish in order to gain control or enforce obedience;
Synonyms: discipline / sort out
correct (v.)
go down in value;
the stock market corrected
Synonyms: decline / slump
correct (v.)
alter or regulate so as to achieve accuracy or conform to a standard;
correct the alignment of the front wheels
Synonyms: adjust / set
correct (v.)
treat a defect;
The new contact lenses will correct for his myopia
2
correct (adj.)
free from error; especially conforming to fact or truth;
the correct answer
the correct version
Synonyms: right
correct (adj.)
socially right or correct;
correct behavior
Synonyms: right
correct (adj.)
in accord with accepted standards of usage or procedure;
Synonyms: right
correct (adj.)
correct in opinion or judgment;
Synonyms: right
From wordnet.princeton.edu